The effects of zinc on radiation-induced dysgeusia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#case-control-studies #cross-sectional-studies #dysgeusia #head-and-neck-neoplasms #humans

The effects of zinc on radiation-induced dysgeusia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Chi et al., 2020 | Support Care Cancer | Meta Analysis

Citation

Chi Woo J, Myers Jeffrey N, ... Chambers Mark S. The effects of zinc on radiation-induced dysgeusia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Support Care Cancer. 2020-Dec;28(12):1-12. doi:10.1007/s00520-020-05578-8

Abstract

PURPOSE: Many head and neck cancer patients who receive radiation therapy experience radiation-induced dysgeusia (RID), which has no standard treatment. The only supplement controlled clinical trials have evaluated for the treatment of RID is zinc. However, the results of these and other studies investigating the use of zinc for RID have been inconsistent. To assess the validity of zinc as a treatment for RID, we conducted a systematic literature search and performed a meta-analysis to determine the extent to which zinc affects RID incidence and the degree to which ongoing RID responds to zinc. METHODS: We searched the Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases to identify studies investigating the use of zinc-based therapy for RID in head and neck cancer patients treated with radiation that were published between January 1, 2003, and November 9, 2017. Using American Society of Clinical Oncology criteria, we selected studies with a high level of evidence for inclusion in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Of the 32 full-text articles eligible for inclusion, three were included in the final review and meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed that, compared with placebo, zinc reduces the incidence of RID (risk ratio, 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.67-0.92) but does not improve taste acuity more rapidly following radiation therapy (risk ratio, 2.58; 95% confidence interval, 0.97-6.88). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that zinc-based therapy reduces the incidence of RID but has a minimal effect on ongoing RID. Our findings also highlight the need for additional evidence-based research on this topic.

Key Findings

Of the 32 full-text articles eligible for inclusion, three were included in the final review and meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed that, compared with placebo, zinc reduces the incidence of RID (risk ratio, 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.67-0.92) but does not improve taste acuity more rapidly following radiation therapy (risk ratio, 2.58; 95% confidence interval, 0.97-6.88).

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dysgeusia
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Prospective Studies
  • Radiation Injuries
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Zinc

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: zinc

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09